After Joining a Dating Show, My Silly Ex Got Jealous - Chapter 3

With seven out of the eight guests present and seated, a small loudspeaker mounted on the ceiling suddenly crackled to life.

“Hello, my dearest guests!”

“Holy crap!” Qin Zheng jerked in shock. Instinctively, he lurched sideways and wrapped his arms around Ji Xiting, burying his face into the other man’s neck.

Ji Xiting, held in a crushing embrace, felt like he had never been more fragile. For some reason, he actually couldn’t break free from those arms.

The other guests looked over, their expressions layered with hidden meaning.

Gu Pei turned a cold, steady gaze toward Ji Xiting. “Your ex-boyfriend is taking advantage of you. Want me to break his legs for you?”

Zheng Jingren stared at Gu Pei with a complicated expression. This cold-blooded attitude… this suggestion to assault a family member… is the guy in the wheelchair actually sane?

“Is that allowed? Isn’t it a bit too violent?” Ji Xiting asked, seemingly seeking honest advice.

Zheng Jingren snapped his head toward him, eyes wide with horror. Wait, is this one not normal either?

Gu Pei replied calmly, “It’s fine. I’ve already prepared a wheelchair for him. It’s automated and very considerate.”

Ji Xiting appeared to give it serious thought. “Hmm…”

Qin Zheng lifted his head from Ji Xiting’s neck, staring at him with a look of deep grievance. “A single day as a couple brings a hundred days of grace.”

“Oh. Then I’ll wait a hundred days before I make my move,” Ji Xiting said, finally peeling the man off of him.

Relieved that a live-broadcast tragedy had been averted, Zheng Jingren let out a quiet breath.

The loudspeaker spoke again, sounding quite cheerful. “The eighth guest will be making a surprise arrival later. For now, feel free to explore the house and assign the rooms!”

The “New Guest Disruption” was a classic trope of any dating show. With the waiting over, everyone stood up to tour the villa.

Since Shen Ruan and Si Wen had arrived early, they volunteered as “tour guides” to show the others around.

“The first floor has the living room, gym, open-concept kitchen, and dining area,” Si Wen explained. “The second floor has two single rooms and three double suites, plus a small lounge and a terrace. The third floor has a home theater, a KTV room, and a gaming room.”

The double suites weren’t just two beds in one room; they were two separate bedrooms sharing a private living area—essentially a two-bedroom apartment.

Zheng Jingren smiled. “I think I saw a basketball court in the backyard when I arrived.”

“I saw it too!” Zhen Jiankang said excitedly. “Let’s go play a few rounds later. I might only be 188.2 centimeters, but I can dunk no problem. I can even teach you guys.”

Qin Zheng gave a light scoff. “What a shame. I’m 188.5 centimeters. Dunking is child’s play for me.”

Gu Pei let out a suave, predatory chuckle. “Mature men like us—at 188.1 centimeters—don’t waste time on dunks. Three-pointers are the true test of skill.”

Zheng Jingren’s face twisted in pain. “I get that you’re all over 188, but is it really necessary to go to the decimal point?”

“I’m 180.5. How about you?” Ji Xiting asked him.

Zheng Jingren replied, “I’m 187.6.”

Wait. Why did he just include the decimal point too?

Seeing everyone bonding over their height, Si Wen smiled gently. “I’m exactly 182.”

The group turned their gaze toward Shen Ruan, the only one who hadn’t shared.

Looking up at this gathering of giants, Shen Ruan said sheepishly, “I’m 173.”

“Point what?”

Shen Ruan snapped back in mock frustration, “If I’m not even 180, does the decimal point really matter anymore!”

“Fair point,” the group agreed, finally dropping the subject.

【Tsk tsk. It’s a world where only the 173-cm guy gets hurt.】

【It’s true—once a man is over 180, straight or gay, it’s a miracle if they don’t mention their height within three sentences.】

【Honestly, Film Emperor Qin and Ting-ge are such a match. That eight-centimeter height difference is perfect for certain… positions.】

【Whoa! A smut-truck just ran over my face.】

*****

The villa’s decor was clean and spacious, with a warm color palette that felt perfect for romance.

“How are we splitting the rooms?” Ji Xiting asked.

Qin Zheng was the first to speak. “Let’s do it based on familiarity.”

“Meaning?”

“For example, since Ji Xiting and I are quite familiar, we should share a room,” Qin Zheng said calmly.

Ji Xiting: “…”

Everyone else: “Ooh~”

“No,” Ji Xiting said coldly.

Qin Zheng frowned at him. “Do you already have your eye on someone else?” So eager to be roommates with another guy?

“Yeah,” Ji Xiting said slowly, just a second before Qin Zheng could explode. “I want to stay in a single room.”

Qin Zheng choked on his anger, his face turning a slight shade of blue.

Si Wen pushed up his glasses and suggested, “Let’s play a game to decide. The winner gets to assign the rooms for everyone else.”

“Sure!” Zhen Jiankang was immediately interested. “What game? Basketball?”

Shen Ruan waved his hands frantically. “I can’t! I don’t know how to play.”

“No worries, I can teach you,” Zhen Jiankang said, flashing a grin so bright that Shen Ruan’s resolve crumbled instantly.

“Okay then,” Shen Ruan whispered shyly.

Gu Pei shook his head. “No. I can’t play ball.”

“Why not?”

“I’m still in a wheelchair.”

The group looked down at his perfectly straight, long legs, completely speechless.

“How about a tabletop game? Werewolf or something?” Zheng Jingren suggested.

Everyone agreed, and they returned to the living room to sit in a circle. Zheng Jingren volunteered to be the moderator, so he scribbled roles onto six slips of paper and had everyone draw one.

“Since we have a small group, we’ll have two Werewolves, two Villagers, one Seer, and one Witch.”

Ji Xiting opened his slip. He was a Villager. He closed the paper with a poker face and observed the others. Everyone was acting like a professional; it was impossible to tell what they were thinking.

“Everyone ready?” Zheng Jingren smiled. “Good. Eyes closed, everyone. It’s night time.”

Ji Xiting closed his eyes but kept his ears sharp.

“Werewolves, open your eyes. Who are you killing? Good. Eyes closed.”

…

After the round, Zheng Jingren announced, “The sun has risen. It was a peaceful night; no one died.”

“Whoa,” Zhen Jiankang applauded. “Exciting.”

Ji Xiting glanced at Qin Zheng. The other man looked back and raised a defiant eyebrow.

“Heh. You’re a Wolf,” Ji Xiting concluded.

Qin Zheng smiled faintly. “And you’re a Villager.”

Crap. How did he know?! Ji Xiting was startled but kept his composure, returning a calm smile. “Bullshit.”

Seeing them about to bicker again, Zheng Jingren intervened. “Hold on! We aren’t voting anyone out yet, but do you want to share your thoughts?”

“Sure,” Ji Xiting nodded. “I think Qin Zheng is a Wolf.”

Shen Ruan asked innocently, “Why?”

“Do you think he looks like a good person?” Ji Xiting asked as if it were obvious.

Shen Ruan took a serious look at Qin Zheng, who glared back fiercely. “He doesn’t really look like one,” Shen Ruan squeaked.

Qin Zheng: “…”

Si Wen analyzed rationally, “The first night was likely a ‘Wolf suicide’ to bait the Witch’s potion. The Witch’s healing potion is gone now, so the Good camp needs to find the Wolves in the next round. Witch, don’t use your poison yet.”

Gu Pei nodded. “The Seer should have checked someone this round. Check another next round, then reveal yourself to give us direction.”

“Provided the Seer doesn’t get killed first,” Zhen Jiankang noted.

Gu Pei gave a small, wicked smirk. Shen Ruan caught the expression and immediately decided Gu Pei was a Wolf. Why else would he smile so creepily?

【God, these people are all such good actors.】

【If I wasn’t watching the whole thing, I’d swear they were all innocent.】

“Alright, second round. Eyes closed,” Zheng Jingren said.

Another round passed. Zheng Jingren smiled mysteriously. “Someone died tonight. And that person is—”

Ji Xiting felt a bit nervous. It’s not me, is it?

“Si Wen!”

Si Wen froze, then sighed and shook his head. Since he was dead, he couldn’t say a word.

Before anyone could react, Zheng Jingren clapped his hands excitedly. “And Gu Pei!”

Everyone: “!”

“What? Two people died?” Ji Xiting was shocked. “Did the Witch use the poison?”

Zheng Jingren nodded. “Yes. Two are dead.”

“Whoa! This is too good!” Zhen Jiankang rubbed his hands together.

Shen Ruan asked, “With four of us left, does the game continue?”

“It does.”

“That means either Si Wen or Mr. Gu was a Wolf,” Shen Ruan analyzed.

Ji Xiting nodded, then suddenly declared, “I’m the Witch. I saved Xiao Kang in the first round.”

Zhen Jiankang was surprised. “Really?”

“What?” Qin Zheng grabbed Ji Xiting’s arm. “What did you just call him?”

Ji Xiting glared at him. “What is wrong with you? I called him Xiao Kang. So what?”

“You always use my full name when you talk to me!” Qin Zheng snapped.

Ji Xiting took a deep breath. “I should have poisoned you in the first round just to shut you up.”

Qin Zheng glared, and Ji Xiting glared right back. The atmosphere grew tense as everyone watched them. After a moment, Qin Zheng looked away, his ears turning red.

“Call him whatever you want,” he muttered. Why does he have to look at me like that? It’s distracting.

“Idiot,” Ji Xiting muttered, looking away too.

Zhen Jiankang, relying on his vibrant energy, whispered, “So… are we still playing?”

“Playing what? You’re a Wolf,” Qin Zheng said crossly.

Zhen Jiankang got defensive. “Do you have proof? You’re just biting people at random. I bet you’re the Wolf.”

“I’m the Seer,” Qin Zheng snorted. “I checked my uncle in the first round and you in the second. You were both Wolves.”

Shen Ruan was stunned. “Seriously?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t believe you. How come you didn’t check me?” Ji Xiting remained skeptical.

Qin Zheng laughed. “You definitely aren’t a Wolf, and you’re not the Witch either. If you were either of those, I wouldn’t have survived the first night.”

The group realized he had a very good point!

“So you have to be a Villager,” Qin Zheng continued, turning to Shen Ruan. “I bet you’re the Witch, right?”

Shen Ruan’s eyes went wide.

“Zhen Jiankang ‘suicided’ on night one, and you saved him,” Qin Zheng deduced. “Then Si Wen mentioned it might be a Wolf trick, and you panicked. You thought you’d be the target tonight, so you decided to take down someone who looked suspicious—and you poisoned my uncle.”

“A blind cat finding a dead mouse,” Qin Zheng finished.

Shen Ruan gave an embarrassed smile. He had nailed it.

Zhen Jiankang struggled for a moment before blurting out, “…Then why did you check me first?”

“Because you annoy me,” Qin Zheng said honestly.

Zhen Jiankang: “Fair enough.”

The result was clear. Everyone voted Zhen Jiankang out, even Zhen Jiankang voted for himself.

【Film Emperor Qin is amazing! Truly a top-tier student!】

【I suspect he has a ‘God view.’ How else could he be so accurate?】

【I don’t care about anything else—Qin Zheng and Ting-ge have to be in the same room!】

【My ship must sleep together, I’m crying.】

******

Zheng Jingren clapped. “Film Emperor Qin really is impressive. Is everyone okay with him assigning the rooms?”

Ji Xiting shook his head ‘no,’ so the others felt safe following suit.

“Where are you sleeping?” Qin Zheng asked Ji Xiting.

Ji Xiting smiled. “A single room.”

Qin Zheng hesitated, clearly wanting to put Ji Xiting in a double suite with himself.

“If you put me in a double, I’ll sleep on the living room sofa,” Ji Xiting threatened.

Qin Zheng looked at him, desperately wanting to just carry the man upstairs regardless, but he didn’t quite dare. Fine. At least if he’s in a single, he’s not sharing with someone else.

“Fine. You get a single.”

Qin Zheng glanced at the ceiling, still feeling a bit of a chill down his spine. He was torn. He could stay in a single room himself, but he doubted he’d be able to fall asleep alone. Yet, sharing with anyone else felt wrong.

His gaze landed on Gu Pei. “Uncle, how about we…”

Gu Pei frowned, appearing to think seriously. “A nephew and an uncle—”

“Stop right there! That is not allowed!” Ji Xiting interrupted quickly.

Gu Pei realized. “Right. Of course.”

Zheng Jingren looked ready to crumble. That was NEVER allowed! What on earth are these people talking about?!

After weighing his options, Qin Zheng decided, “I’ll take the other single room then.”

All five bedrooms were on the second floor. The two single rooms were directly across from each other on the east side of the lounge, while the three double suites were on the west side. Effectively, the two single rooms shared a semi-private space.

Qin Zheng turned to Shen Ruan. “Who do you want to sleep with?”

Shen Ruan froze, his face turning beet red as he stammered, unable to answer.

Wait a minute, Ji Xiting thought, glancing at Qin Zheng.

He noticed Qin Zheng seemed surprisingly attentive to Shen Ruan. Was it because the boy appealed to his sense of dominance? It made sense—a sweet, obedient kid like Shen Ruan would naturally trigger a protective instinct in a “Big Alpha” type like Qin Zheng.

Ji Xiting gave a soft huff of annoyance, though he’d never admit it.

Qin Zheng caught the reaction out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that Ji Xiting was actually annoyed made him feel instantly refreshed. It seems Ting-ge still cares about me; he’s just being stubborn.

Qin Zheng couldn’t help but let out a laugh—one that wouldn’t stop, leaving the others bewildered.

Ji Xiting thought: Is he laughing because of Shen Ruan’s blushing face? They say “interest” is the beginning of a relationship. Was Qin Zheng actually interested in the kid? Ji Xiting hadn’t even picked anyone yet; how dare Qin Zheng be interested in someone else first?

“What are you laughing at?” Ji Xiting asked crossly.

Qin Zheng laughed even harder. “Yes, yes. I’m laughing at an idiot.”

Everyone snapped their eyes toward Shen Ruan. The boy’s face turned even redder, and he covered his face with his hands in shame. “Does my face look like a monkey’s butt?”

Ji Xiting softened his tone. “No, no. It’s very cute. Like a little apple.”

Qin Zheng’s laughter died instantly.

He adopted a cold, indifferent mask. “Shen Ruan will stay with Zhen Jiankang. Si Wen with my uncle. Zheng Jingren can wait for the new guest. Any problems?”

Shen Ruan stole a glance at Zhen Jiankang, his blush now reaching his neck. Zhen Jiankang grinned. “Sure, sounds good.”

Si Wen hesitated. “Maybe I should stay with Zheng Jingren instead?” He wasn’t sure he could survive Gu Pei’s overbearing aura.

Gu Pei let out a soft chuckle. “Are you trying to catch my attention?”

Si Wen: “…”

Everyone else: “………” He’s probably terrified of catching your attention.